W.H.BECKETT ୆ K.P.RICE ୆ M.E.KING

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Trying to build a prototype continued

Recognizing that in trying to build something outside the "system" we needed all the help we could get. KP sought assistance from some of the large aircraft manufacturers. We first went to Douglas. They had reviewed our design for feasibility and gave it an official OK. KP then proposed that they support us with engineering to give us more credibility. In return we would keep them abreast of all developments so that they would be in the best possible position when (if) the project got to the point of competitive proposals. They considered our offer for a couple of weeks and then decided that they could not afford the investment. (Their VP of advanced engineering later lamented that they could have had a sure thing.) The FARs restriction on agencies that participated in defining requirements from bidding on hardware was no doubt also a consideration.

Convair and Ryan reacted similarly, interested, but no direct help. Meanwhile, the mock-up was starting to crowd the garage and it was time to think about the wings which wouldn't fit in the garage. Also, we wanted as much input as possible from pilots who were to fly the plane and the ordnance men and mechanics who were going to service it. The time had come to move onto the base. We took over an empty super Quonset in the Special Weapons Training Unit compound where KP was assigned at the time. We soon attracted the interest of a lot of pilots and also mechanics and ordnance men.

It was interesting to me that the younger pilots, up through the rank of captain, were very enthusiastic. The older aviators, while never really opposing the project, grew more wary and less enthusiastic directly in proportion to their rank. The younger pilots could see that it would be much more "fun" flying such a plane that the jets which, while getting faster, etc., were too constrained to be much fun. (Along this line many pilots avoided helicopters, if possible, but once assigned, found flying them more interesting than jets.)

In March '61, I was assigned temporarily to the I.G. for an inspection of the First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. This gave me as unprecedented opportunity to find out what the potential "customers" would think of our project. The "Grunts" were not only polite and willing to listen, many were enthusiastic. I was able to discuss the subject with almost all of the Regimental and Battalion staffs, and all were in favor of such support. The Division Artillery Officer thought that the idea of having both artillery and air support available in the same place would make for better utilization of both. Just about everyone thought that the idea of a dedicated support aircraft was great, but although they wished me luck, didn't think we could make it happen.

The tactical concepts were holding up and even getting refined by these critiques and the prototype was proceeding. We had considered a couple of other engines, but settled on the Pratt and Whitney Canada, PT-6 as the best bet at the time. We were assured that China Lake would get us a pair of engines at no cost when the time came for installation. Things were going well. However, we were now on the base and protocol demanded that the General commanding the base be informed. This turned out to be a problem.

When briefed on our activity the General was definitely not pleased. His concern was that he had no authority to support such a project and could not justify the expenditure for electricity and possibly other utilities associated with it. As I remember, he had no comments pro or con about the project per-se. We eventually resolved the problem by getting a Supply Officer from China Lake to call the Station Logistics Officer (G-4), formally request that the Station support our project, and assure him that China Lake would provide the necessary funds, (The Station G-4 told me that it would cost more to find out these costs that the costs themselves, but the general was reassured.)

Another humorous aspect of the project was revealed not long after when we were told one day that an Army Colonel was at the main gate and wanted to see us. Neither of us knew any Army officers, let alone Colonels, but we weren't proud, we would talk to anyone. At the gate we picked up Colonel Williams. He was from the staff of DDR&E at the Pentagon. It seemed that rumors of our activity had reached all the way back to the Pentagon indicating that we had completed a new airplane which had phenomenal (really unbelievable) performance and was flying all over the West Coast. Rather than call, he had been sent to find out what was going on and told to physically put his hand on the aircraft.

We all had a great laugh after we briefed him on our project. He was a rising star in Army Aviation (he was promoted to two stars and head of Army Aviation subsequently) and not only seemed to approve, but took an interest in our project. He had considerable experience flying the Grumman OV-1, and added greatly to our operational concepts with descriptions of his experiences and technique with this twin engine turboprop.

We thought that things were proceeding rather well at this point, but two problems which we hadn't thought much about came up that effectively slowed our "build:" program. First BUWEPS learned of China Lake's funding of our project and told them to cease and desist right now. As Adm. Schoech told KP, "When Navy airplanes are built, we build them." China Lake was still willing to help with funding, but getting the two engines at $350,000 would be difficult as well as going directly against an order. KP figured that we could still get P&W to bail us engines, if they thought we had a viable aircraft, but we decided to sit down and rethink the building problem.

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